BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT NEWS RELEASEBillings Area Restrictions Group

Release Date:
07/31/13

Contacts:

Carmen Thomason, (406) 896-2836

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Three Montana Counties Implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions

Carbon, Musselshell and Sweet Grass Counties implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions effective midnight on July 31, 2013. In cooperation with the counties all Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands within these counties will also be placed in Stage 1 restrictions.

Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to campfires and smoking. Under Stage 1 restrictions, the following acts are prohibited:

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire unless noted in the exemptions below or as designated in the specific closure order.

Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

Exemptions to the above Stage 1 prohibitions include the following:

Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.

Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be used in an area that is barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.

Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.

Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

All land within a city boundary is exempted.

Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe.

The restrictions will remain in effect until there is a significant change in fire danger. Please remember that fireworks are prohibited on state and federal lands. Exploding targets available for sale to recreational shooters are also considered a pyrotechnic product and are included under these restrictions. Anyone who causes a wildland fire intentionally or through negligence will be held accountable for damage and suppression costs.